Wretched Choices

Chapter 12

#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 12
Unluckiest

"Sorry if I'm late class!" Our professor said as she panted. It looked like she just finished running a 5-kilometre marathon.

The fifteen minute grace period was almost over, and I was about to leave my chair when she came dashing inside our classroom. The disappointed look on my classmates' faces were expressed intensely.

Just when you thought you're about to have an instant free cut, but your professor beat the red light and ruined your plans for the unexpected free period.

Kung sana lang kasi ay kung puwedeng ma-late ang professor, dapat ay puwede rin ang mga estudyante! May mga ibang propesor pa nga na nagpapahintay nang mas matagal pa kaysa sa grace period. I demand fairness from this unjust regulations!

"Kinausap lang ako sandali ng Dean para sa nalalapit na univeristy wide event," paliwanag niya kahit na wala naman akong pakialam doon. "Anyway, I'll proceed on checking your attendance for today."

She did what she said and cheked our attendance. Pagkatapos no'n ay nagsulat siya sa board ng activity namin para ngayong araw. But it seemed like it wasn't just an activity, but a short-term project. Another mini research is needed to be passed and reported next week.

Purgang-purga na ako sa mga research at thesis na pinapagawa nila magmula first year. Nalalapit na nga ang mga araw kung kailang magsisimula ang mock defense para sa totoong thesis namin, ngunit itong mga minor subjects na 'to ay ganado pa rin sa pagpapagawa ng research papers at mini theses.

Well, speaking of, I'm not yet done with the charts my groupmates were asking me to validate after I was done tallying our surveys. I was too pre-occupied with my plans. I should probably work on it this weekend. Mabuti nga at hindi nila ako masyadong binibigyan ng trabaho dahil pakiramdam nila ay masisira ko lamang ang papel namin.

Going back to my argument, I know minor subjects are also important, but we need to focus on our major subjects as well. Dapat ay hindi na sila nakikipagsabayan pa.

"Last night I worked on these drawlots," she announced and showed us a box. "Since even numbers kayo at walang absent ngayon, magiging madali ang pagp-pair. This time, hindi kayo ang mamimili kundi bubunot kayo."

Napakunot ang aking noo. Kung lahat kami ay bubunot, posibleng iba ang mabunot kong pangalan sa nakabunot sa akin. Would that make any sense?

"Iyong mga tatawagin ko lang ang puwedeng bumunot ng kapartner nila. At iyong mga bubunot, wala ang pangalan nila rito sa loob ng box," paglilinaw niya at napatango-tango naman ako dahil naiintindihan ko na kung paano ang sistema. "When I call your name, please come in front, okay?"

I crossed my legs and sat comfortably on my chair. Whoever picks my name, I hope it's someone responsible.

"Adarraga, Jerome Emmanuel."

My eyes widened when Jerome's name was the first one to be called. I suddenly became attentive. I don't mind being his partner again. In fact, I like it more that way. I'm comfortable being partnered with him.

The moment he slid his hand inside the box to draw the name of his partner, I mentally prayed to be chosen. I had a strong feeling that my name was included in the drawlots.

"Pick me, pick me, pick me..." I chanted softly and even closed my eyes, thinking that it might push my luck.

"Rivera, Loisa."

Para akong pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa nang ibang pangalan ang nadinig kong kanyang binanggit. I pouted, and my shoulders dropped.

Kung sino man ang makakapili sa akin, sana naman ay matino-tino. He or she should be someone like Jerome who's flexible and somehow understanding. Or maybe, someone who could accept my personality even just for a bit.